Backgammon championship has ‘international impact’ - Licudi

Minister for Education Gilbert Licudi has said Gibraltar’s first Backgammon Championship held last February has had a real impact in the international backgammon community. His comment was made following his participation at the Nordic Backgammon Open held over the Easter weekend in Copenhagen in Denmark.

The impact the tournament had locally he said was clear from the comments made by many players to him in Copenhagen.

“Almost everyone was talking about it. Those that had come to Gibraltar commented on what a good competition it had been. Others said that they had heard excellent reviews on the Gibraltar Championship and that they would certainly be coming to Gibraltar for next year’s championship,” he said.

This was the first time Mr Licudi had participated in the Nordic Backgammon Open. He also participated in the first Gibraltar Backgammon Championship earlier this year.

The Nordic Backgammon Open is one of the most prestigious backgammon competitions in Europe with many of the world’s best players competing.

Whilst in Copenhagen Mr Licudi took the opportunity of promoting the Second Gibraltar Backgammon Championship which is due to be held at the Caleta Hotel in February 2017.

Minister Licudi said the level of interest in the Gibraltar championship is such that he was certain next year’s competition would certainly build on the success of the championship held last February.

“The combination of the Caleta Hotel, with the already very successful Chess Festival, and Steen Grønbech, the tournament director for both the Gibraltar Championship and the Nordic Open, is a recipe for success and is sure to attract to Gibraltar numerous top players placing Gibraltar firmly in the map as one of the best backgammon competitions.”

“It is clear from the comments by many players that the First Gibraltar Backgammon Championship held last February has had a real impact in the international backgammon community.